2 posts from November 2012

11/30/2012

Governor Christie recently signed a bill put forth by Somerset County Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset), ﻿﻿﻿﻿requiring the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to issue recommendations for the proper disposal of unused medications. Further, the bill requires health care institutions to submit to the Department of Health and Senior Services and the DEP a plan for proper disposal of unused prescription medications. Failure to implement these rules will result in fines for the health care institution.

Remember the following guidelines when disposing of personal medications:

1. Mix medicines (do NOT crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds;

2. Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag; and

3. Throw the container in your household trash For most medicines, DO NOT FLUSH them down the toilet. There are a few you can flush down the toilet - check with your pharmacist if yours is one of them.

11/27/2012

The New Jersey Pharmacists Association (NJPhA) has been very busy this semester, participating in state-wide events with our peers from other local pharmacy schools. On October 18, seven USciences’ students made their way to Trenton, NJ, with Assistant Professor Dr. Grace Earl to participate in NJPhA’s Legislative Day. Along with students from both Temple and Rutgers Universities, the USciences contingent handed out literature on the proper disposal of medications and met some important New Jersey legislators. Many of these legislators took the time to stop and speak with us, telling us how important the pharmacy profession is to healthcare and encouraging us to stay involved with pharmacy organizations so that our voices can be heard.

A group of about 10 USciences students attended the 142nd annual NJPhA convention in Atlantic City, NJ, on October 27. Students met up with some USciences’ faculty members and attended the day’s presentations. We learned about the legislative process in Trenton and Washington, DC, and the importance of belonging to advocacy groups so that our voices can be heard. NJPhA is currently advocating on behalf of pharmacists in New Jersey to pass many laws, including laws governing collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and physicians to expand the role of pharmacists in New Jersey. It is important for pharmacists to support groups like NJPhA so that their voices can be heard during the law-making process.

On the schedule of events during the annual convention was a competition between student pharmacists from local pharmacy schools. A team of five USciences students competed against students from Rutgers, Temple, and Long Island Universities. The USciences’ and Long Island University’s teams were eliminated in the first round. The team of Temple students came out on top in the second round against a team of Rutgers’ students. While we did not win the competition, we represented our school well and now know how to prepare for next year’s competition.